Proteas no longer 'chokers'

Graeme Smith © Getty Images

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South Africa enter the World Cup as the number one team in the global standings - and desperate to lose their ‘chokers’ tag once and for all.

Having bowed out of the past two events due to tied matches - in the 1999 semi-final against Australia and again on home soil against Sri Lanka four years ago - they have developed a reputation for succumbing to pressure.

But captain Graeme Smith, who inherited the leadership of the side in the aftermath of the 2003 debacle, can reflect on some outstanding successes over the past couple of years, including a world-record chase of 438 against Australia, the team they replaced as top dogs, in Johannesburg 12 months ago.

“I guess the chokers tag is something we have always struggled to get rid of,” said Smith.

“It’s something that this team finds quite amusing at times.

“We have players that have won hugely pressurised games over the last two to three years, a team which has performed, won tight situations, won from places where no-one gave us a hope, so I would say in our environment that word is quite laughable.

“It’s one for when you are out eating spare ribs, or something like that, you know?

“We have had our disappointments at past World Cups, as have other teams.

“This is a team that is building itself, it is separate from a lot of the other disappointments. It has moved away from that and learnt from a lot of those things.

“Hopefully some luck will go our way and we can perform at a level we know we are capable of.

“We are very relaxed, this two months will be an exciting time in every one of our lives and we are looking forward to being a part of that.”

Mark Boucher took the blame for South Africa's exit at the last World Cup © Getty Images

England’s derailing of Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Series followed by New Zealand’s whitewashing of the reigning world champions last month propelled South Africa to the top of the one-day rankings.

If that has shown Australia are no longer the invincible force they once were, Smith is keen to separate standings from Caribbean expectations.

Asked whether the current table made the Proteas favourites for the crown, Smith said: “In terms of rankings it does. The reality is that the World Cup is a special event.

“To become number one in the world is about being consistent over a period of time. Beating the best teams on a consistent basis is what gets you there.

“Australia, rightly so, held that for a number of years: they were the team to beat.

“So for us the achievement is something we are hugely proud of, we are the only other team to have that ranking.

“In terms of the World Cup it is a separate event, there are a number of fantastic teams here and if you are not prepared on your day they can beat you.

“We see the two things as totally separate environments. We feel confident about our chances.

“We are motivated and ready. We have the players, the environment, the experience, the youth, a great mixture.”